Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945)
Democrat
In office: 1933-1945
Vice President: John Garner (1933-1941)
Henry Wallace (1941)
Harry Truman (1945)
Thesis:
Elected in 1933 Franklin Delano Roosevelt faced many challenges going into the presidency. The transition from the roaring 20's to the depression of the 30's resulted in mutiple changes of the economy, government, and business. FDR deserves an A for his job as the president because he was able to keep the country together through times of desperation as well as maintain his sanity. His wife also played a key role in his presidency because people admired her as much as they did him. FDR was their "last hope" of making it through a difficult time in the lives of many.
Goals:
FDR had to address the banking crisis as soon as he entered office. Many of the banks were closed because people panicked once wall street crashed and withdrew all their finances. Roosevelt ordered all the banks be closed until congress passed some sort of legislation that would guarantee people's money, this period was known as the "Hundred Days" and lasted from May 6-10. FDR's biggest goal were the new deal programs which involved the 3 R's: reform, recovery, and relief. Within the first couple of years he focused on dealing with relief and recovery but eventually he wanted permanent reform so this would never happen again and he could rebuild the economy on a stronger foundation. During the Hundred Days congress and Roosevelt also developed other recovery acts such as the: Beer Act, CCC, FERA, AAA, TVA, HOLC, NRA, PWZ, and Glass Steagal Act. One of the more successful acts was the Glass-Steagal act which insured bank deposits up to $5,000 and instilled more confidence in the banks. Roosevelt also wanted to "manage currency" but it resulted in inflation. The gold standard was only use for international trade. The 1930's had the highest unemployment rate recorded in history. To ease unemployment rates Roosevelt offered employment in government camps, attempting to get industry flowing again. Some immediate relief was given to needy families but many still fell below the poverty line. The second wave of recovery acts included the: CWA, FHA, WPA, Wagner Act, USHA, Soil conservation Act and the Second AAA. Once the second wave of reforms were set into place the buzz of the new deal was starting to die down.
Relationship with Congress:
Throughout his presidency FDR maintained a solid relationship with congress because they shared a common fear. It was sort of like a "blind leading the blind" scenario. The country was in a panick and so were they. Congress gave FRD the green card to go forward with the new deal and they also provided a lot of flexibility because trying something was better than nothing. Congress' influence was the strongest during the "Hundred Day" period. When Rooselevelt ordered all gold to be exchanged with the treasury, congress agreed and canceled gold payment clauses in contracts. The CCC was also created when Roosevelt recommended a boost in employment. Although there were times when some of his reforms had to be canceled or restructured most of the major decisions were made by Roosevelt and Congress gladly backed hime up until he intended to run for his third term. Congress was concerned by the amount of power Roosevelt was gaining. In World War 2 FDR altered the country's neutrality in order to benefit the allies with support of congress.
Positive/ Negative Outcomes:
Out of the new deal reforms the AAA was the least beneficial. Although it kept prices steady for the farmer the consumer then claimed most of the weight. Surpluses in product costs made it difficult for farmers to make a profit. The AAA had some rough beginnings and many were turning to animal slaughtering. The farmers were no longer farming and it was affecting everyone. In later years the Supreme court declared AAA unconstitutional. One of the better reforms of the new deal was the Social Security act of 1935. The social security act provided financial security to senior citizens, by passing this act the government was giving more support to their citizens. As the years passed the payments increased and more benefits were given.
Future Generations:
FDR had one of the biggest impacts on future generations. Social Security is still in affect today and many of the elderly are supported by it. Minimum wage and overtime are still present and regulated in todays society. Minimum wage ensures citizens that they will have a decent wage to live on. Not only did FDR support us through a great depression and beginning of WW2 he revamped the welfare system in America. The Fair Labor standards Act set the standard work week from Monday through Friday because many people were working an average of six days a week and stressful hours. Insurance in bank deposits is another major benifit which came from FDR's presidency. This is important because it is an easier way for people to maintain trust in their banks and money.The National Labor Unions
Act also affected the power that labor unions have today. Overall all of our lives have been altered by this president and no other president since then has achieved as much as FDR.
Conclusion:
The country made a major improvement by the end of FDR's presidency. If it wasnt for him our lives might be completely different. He managed to create new social and economic systems in his 12 years in office. Many of his policies are still used today and citizens recieve more rights and benefits after FDR was president. An A is a suitable grade for this man because he has accomplished so much.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945)
Democrat
In office: 1933-1945
Vice President: John Garner (1933-1941)
Henry Wallace (1941)
Harry Truman (1945)
Thesis:
Elected in 1933 Franklin Delano Roosevelt faced many challenges going into the presidency. The transition from the roaring 20's to the depression of the 30's resulted in mutiple changes of the economy, government, and business. FDR deserves an A for his job as the president because he was able to keep the country together through times of desperation as well as maintain his sanity. His wife also played a key role in his presidency because people admired her as much as they did him. FDR was their "last hope" of making it through a difficult time in the lives of many.
Goals:
FDR had to address the banking crisis as soon as he entered office. Many of the banks were closed because people panicked once wall street crashed and withdrew all their finances. Roosevelt ordered all the banks be closed until congress passed some sort of legislation that would guarantee people's money, this period was known as the "Hundred Days" and lasted from May 6-10. FDR's biggest goal were the new deal programs which involved the 3 R's: reform, recovery, and relief. Within the first couple of years he focused on dealing with relief and recovery but eventually he wanted permanent reform so this would never happen again and he could rebuild the economy on a stronger foundation. During the Hundred Days congress and Roosevelt also developed other recovery acts such as the: Beer Act, CCC, FERA, AAA, TVA, HOLC, NRA, PWZ, and Glass Steagal Act. One of the more successful acts was the Glass-Steagal act which insured bank deposits up to $5,000 and instilled more confidence in the banks. Roosevelt also wanted to "manage currency" but it resulted in inflation. The gold standard was only use for international trade. The 1930's had the highest unemployment rate recorded in history. To ease unemployment rates Roosevelt offered employment in government camps, attempting to get industry flowing again. Some immediate relief was given to needy families but many still fell below the poverty line. The second wave of recovery acts included the: CWA, FHA, WPA, Wagner Act, USHA, Soil conservation Act and the Second AAA. Once the second wave of reforms were set into place the buzz of the new deal was starting to die down.
Relationship with Congress:
Throughout his presidency FDR maintained a solid relationship with congress because they shared a common fear. It was sort of like a "blind leading the blind" scenario. The country was in a panick and so were they. Congress gave FRD the green card to go forward with the new deal and they also provided a lot of flexibility because trying something was better than nothing. Congress' influence was the strongest during the "Hundred Day" period. When Rooselevelt ordered all gold to be exchanged with the treasury, congress agreed and canceled gold payment clauses in contracts. The CCC was also created when Roosevelt recommended a boost in employment. Although there were times when some of his reforms had to be canceled or restructured most of the major decisions were made by Roosevelt and Congress gladly backed hime up until he intended to run for his third term. Congress was concerned by the amount of power Roosevelt was gaining. In World War 2 FDR altered the country's neutrality in order to benefit the allies with support of congress.
Positive/ Negative Outcomes:
Out of the new deal reforms the AAA was the least beneficial. Although it kept prices steady for the farmer the consumer then claimed most of the weight. Surpluses in product costs made it difficult for farmers to make a profit. The AAA had some rough beginnings and many were turning to animal slaughtering. The farmers were no longer farming and it was affecting everyone. In later years the Supreme court declared AAA unconstitutional. One of the better reforms of the new deal was the Social Security act of 1935. The social security act provided financial security to senior citizens, by passing this act the government was giving more support to their citizens. As the years passed the payments increased and more benefits were given.
Future Generations:
FDR had one of the biggest impacts on future generations. Social Security is still in affect today and many of the elderly are supported by it. Minimum wage and overtime are still present and regulated in todays society. Minimum wage ensures citizens that they will have a decent wage to live on. Not only did FDR support us through a great depression and beginning of WW2 he revamped the welfare system in America. The Fair Labor standards Act set the standard work week from Monday through Friday because many people were working an average of six days a week and stressful hours. Insurance in bank deposits is another major benifit which came from FDR's presidency. This is important because it is an easier way for people to maintain trust in their banks and money.The National Labor Unions
Act also affected the power that labor unions have today. Overall all of our lives have been altered by this president and no other president since then has achieved as much as FDR.
Conclusion:
The country made a major improvement by the end of FDR's presidency. If it wasnt for him our lives might be completely different. He managed to create new social and economic systems in his 12 years in office. Many of his policies are still used today and citizens recieve more rights and benefits after FDR was president. An A is a suitable grade for this man because he has accomplished so much.
Bibliography:
1.)"American President: Franklin Delano Roosevelt." Miller Center of Public Affairs. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2010. <http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/fdroosevelt>.
2.) American Experience . The Presidents . Franklin Delano Roosevelt | PBS." PBS. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2010. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex